Elizabeth Boles - Elizabeth Boles: San Diego Journalist

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JMS 430 Story Project

Final Project Essay

Resume

Discover the insightful work and professional journey of Elizabeth Boles, a dedicated journalist based in San Diego. Explore her bio, resume, and recent articles to stay informed and connected.

Elizabeth Boles: San Diego Journalist

Fourth-year journalism student at San Diego State University. From Chula Vista, CA. She is working on a story project for her JMS 430 class.

Elizabeth Boles

About Me

Thorough investigative pieces uncovering facts and delivering impactful stories with integrity.

Investigative Reporting

Creating rich multimedia content including videos, podcasts, and photojournalism to complement written stories.

two young men wearing black clothes are monitoring the camera

Multimedia Journalism

In-depth feature articles that provide insightful perspectives on current events and human interest stories.

Feature Writing

Real-time news updates and story promotion across social media platforms to engage wider audiences.

Social Media Reporting

Professional editing services to refine articles, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and compelling storytelling.

I really love editing. Watching a picture come together as i edit along.

Content Editing

In Progress

My Work

Connect with Elizabeth

<h4>Blog One: Welcome</h4>I created this website to show my work for my class at San Diego State University. In JMS 430, we are learning about digital journalism, where we are learning how to create websites for our articles that have multimedia aspects. I will be creating an overarching website for my final story project. I have begun the process of working on this story project. I plan to create a project I am proud of through this step-by-step process.&nbsp; I have already started by brainstorming ideas for my story that I will follow. I came up with three ideas, all relating to the San Diego community, because I was born and raised in San Diego, so it was easy to think of things affecting the community I could cover. I think at this point I have narrowed my potential story ideas to two. One thing I was thinking about was that San Diego public libraries are closed on Sundays and have experienced cuts to funding. The idea I am leaning towards is about comparing the quality of life to those who live in the South Bay and other beach communities around San Diego, especially Imperial Beach, because of the Tijuana River sewage crisis. Now I will begin to build from my story pitch, research, and confirm sources for the story I end up choosing.&nbsp;

The Art of Storytelling: Elizabeth Boles' Approach to Journalism

<h3>Government shutdown exacerbates food insecurity in San Diego</h3>The military and college students will continue to be impacted amid reopeningBy Elizabeth BolesThe federal government shut down on Oct. 1 after Congress failed to pass its annual appropriations bill. This has created significant uncertainty for federal programs, including funding cuts and potential layoffs of federal employees. One of the many programs affected by the ongoing shutdown is SNAP, a federal program that provides monthly food stipends to low-income households who qualify, helping them purchase groceries.In California, the program is known as CalFresh, and according to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" class="ah nt" href="https://calmatters.org/newsletter/california-calfresh-food-stamps/">CalMatters,</a> about 5.5 million people use these benefits. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has deployed the California National Guard and allocated $80 million in state support, according to the<a target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" class="ah nt" href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/10/22/california-to-deploy-national-guard-to-support-food-banks-fast-track-funding-as-trumps-shutdown-strips-families-of-food-benefits/"> governor’s website</a>. California is also one of 23 states suing President Trump over withholding SNAP food benefits.San Diego County in California is feeling significant impacts from the shutdown, given the large number of federal employees residing in the area and the student population affected by the latest cut. San Diego is already known for its high cost of living, making it difficult for people to afford both high housing prices and groceries. According to the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" class="ah nt" href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/685dde45fcfce715d0859405/t/68f1253b2d004c1bfd53f3ec/1760634171920/June2025IssueBriefFinal.pdf">San Diego Hunger Coalition</a>, as of June 2025, more than one in four San Diegans is food insecure, a 26% increase from the previous year. According to<a target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" class="ah nt" href="https://www.sandiegofoodbank.org/continued-federal-government-shutdown-and-calfresh-our-statement/"> the San Diego Food Bank</a>, approximately 400,000 people in San Diego use CalFresh.Given these populations, many in the county feel the impacts of the shutdown, especially with the looming Calfresh freeze, as many use the program to provide groceries to their households, including students. San Diego is home to a diverse population across the county and seven major military bases. San Diego has one of the largest military populations, comprising approximately 117,000 service members and 47,000 federal workers, who are being impacted by the government shutdown. This includes not receiving pay, layoffs and continued uncertainty. San Diego is also home to many students who reside in the county for school at one of the five major universities.However, the shutdown is highlighting food insecurity among San Diego’s unique populations. Many are struggling and aware of the problem, leaving nonprofits and university organizations to step in for their communities when the government struggles to find a solution.Military food insecurity strugglesThe military community is no stranger to experiencing food insecurity, as a recent report from the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" class="ah nt" href="https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA2923-1.html">RAND Corporation </a>states that more than 25% of all active duty military personnel are food insecure. This is particularly an issue in San Diego due to the high cost of living for a fixed-income household. Military households are often single-income due to the challenges spouses face in establishing careers, the frequent moves (an estimated move every three years) and the costs of childcare.“Moves often come with unexpected expenses, and deployments can lead to changes in household income or additional childcare needs”, said Tracy Owens, senior programs manager of the<a target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" class="ah nt" href="https://www.teamstepusa.org/"> Support the Enlisted Project</a>. “Limited access to affordable childcare and transportation can create extra strain.”Many military families already face difficulties obtaining CalFresh benefits because they often do not qualify due to housing allowances. The Basic Housing Allowance, or BAH, is provided to service members when government quarters are not available to cover housing costs in local housing markets. However, San Diego’s fees are so high that much of the housing exceeds the allowances. In privatized military communities, such as Murphy Canyon, the entire BAH goes toward those fees, but the housing isn’t at risk. Still, they can’t use the BAH as additional income; it must be included on the Cal Fresh application as income, which disqualifies many.“Even though they might have two working parents, they’re still at a poverty level, but not at a level that makes sense for federal programs,” said Sam Duke, programs manager at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" class="ah nt" href="https://feedingsandiego.org/">Feeding San Diego</a>. “So that also compounds their need because they have less access to resources that non-military families have access to.”Feeding San Diego is a well-known organization that supports the military community by addressing food insecurity. The organization offers a dedicated program, the Feeding Heroes Program, designed explicitly for military-connected individuals in need of food assistance. According to Feeding San Diego, in fiscal year 2025, the organization distributed 1,801,380 pounds of food to documented military veterans.During the government shutdown, Feeding San Diego is ramping up its programming to respond. It is part of the Emergency Action Group, established in San Diego in response to the shutdown affecting the military community and facilitates broader distribution in collaboration with its partners. To reduce stress on their partners, they are not charging them for the food provided at distribution events.“So right now, the food is at no charge during this government shutdown, that’s to make sure they have access to it and don’t have to be worried about funding,” Duke said.The organization collaborated with over 350 community partners, many of whom are dedicated to supporting the military and their families. One of those partners is <a target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" class="ah nt" href="https://www.courage2call.org/free-food-distribution/">Courage to Call, </a>whose mission is to improve the mental wellness of the military-connected community. Veterans lead the organization. It hosts food distributions as part of its mission, which usually occur on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month and are open to all active-duty personnel, veterans, guards, reservists and their families. They just require an RSVP.During a recent distribution event held outside the Courage to Call offices on Oct. 11, military personnel and their families gathered for food provided by Feeding San Diego. It was noted that the crowd was larger than usual. A large group had already formed, waiting at around 8:15 a.m. for a 9 a.m. start, due to the shutdown that began 10 days prior and the lingering uncertainty about whether they would receive paychecks on their next payday, scheduled for Oct. 15.“I hope there is enough to go around,” said one recipient spouse of an active-duty Navy sailor, who wanted to remain anonymous.According to Feeding San Diego, the Courage to Call events typically provide enough food to serve around 115 families, though quantities can vary based on demand. During the Oct. 11 event, despite the crowd, the line moved quickly, with an upbeat atmosphere and welcoming staff who greeted recipients and played music as clients moved across the blacktop, providing comfort to those who joined.Senior enlisted servicemembers also attended the distributions at the time, preparing for the possibility of a missed paycheck.His wife, who declined to give her name, explained, “It’s either gas or groceries, and he still has to drive to work.” She added that anything they didn’t typically eat, such as cereal, would be shared with the junior enlisted sailors in her husband’s command who were unable to attend the distribution.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" class="ah nt" href="https://www.teamstepusa.org/">STEP</a>, the Support the Enlisted Project, is another Feeding San Diego partner and part of the shutdown’s emergency action group. Through their collaboration, they can deliver food to restricted areas that their civilian staff may not be able to reach, such as military bases.Owens, senior programs manager for the Support the Enlisted Project, said that through its partnership with Feeding San Diego, STEP can provide a consistent supply of fresh produce and food at its distribution events, reaching more families.“Ultimately, our goal is to remove barriers and provide compassionate, dignified support so that every eligible military family can access the resources they need,” Owens said.Each month, the Support the Enlisted Project hosts a warehouse distribution event that provides food and other essentials, including diapers, hygiene items and children’s clothing, and also conducts four distribution events throughout the county.“Families are welcome to come in and shop free of charge to get the items they need,” Owens said.Most military-connected organizations, such as STEP, are founded and staffed by individuals who have served and understand the challenges service members face. Owens herself served 30 years in the Navy before working with STEP.“Most of our staff members are retired military personnel, veterans, or military spouses, which enables us to understand the unique challenges these families face, and this allows us to provide better support,” Owens said.Congress and the Department of Defense have acknowledged that food insecurity is a significant issue, not one caused solely by the government shutdown, but rather an epidemic they continually try to address; however, these efforts have not been successful in addressing its underlying causes.Each year, legislation addressing military food insecurity and childcare is introduced to Congress during the discussion of that year’s NDAA, but it is rarely implemented. The most recent piece introduced was the Military Food Security Act of 2025, sponsored by California Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-19th District) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), which excludes BAH from income calculations. San Diego Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-53rd District) supports the act due to San Diego’s military connection and acknowledged in an April 2024 press release that 45,000 service members visited the food bank every month.“I’ve heard so many families who are struggling with whether they buy food or pay for rent, who are struggling with whether they find food or buy the crucial medicines they need to survive,” Congresswoman Jacobs said.The government shutdown is highlighting issues that service members and their families may face, including not receiving pay during this period and challenges with fixed income. However, even without the current government shutdown, food insecurity remains a concern, especially in high-cost duty stations such as San Diego.Student Population food insecurityThe military community is not the only population that faces food insecurity. San Diego’s high student population faces food insecurity, and many are using their CalFresh benefits with the Nov. 1 stoppage; as a result, students can’t rely on their CalFresh funds for groceries indefinitely.“I wouldn’t know how to pay for my groceries this month if I don’t get my Calfresh,” Victoria Medina, a fourth-year student at SDSU, said.According to the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" class="ah nt" href="https://www.sandiegofoodbank.org/programs/college-hunger-relief-program/">San Diego Food Bank</a>, studies have found that 48% of college students report experiencing food insecurity, which leads to numerous consequences, including missing classes, dropping classes and struggling academically.“I’m really concerned. We know that food insecurity among college students is prevalent, said Congresswoman Jacobs, “we know if you’re hungry, you are not getting good nutrition, you’re not going to be doing as well in school, you aren’t going to be able to focus, and that’s especially true for student parents who aren’t worried about feeding their kids.”Fellow students have come together every year for the last 15 years to help combat this issue at San Diego State University through the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" class="ah nt" href="https://as.sdsu.edu/rockhunger/ourstory">Aztecs Rock Hunger </a>campaign. This campaign could not come at a more crucial time, as many more students are projected to be impacted by this ongoing shutdown.The campaign, which runs from Oct. 27 to Nov. 30, will accept monetary donations and volunteers to support their cause and raise awareness of the issues students face related to food insecurity. The funds go toward the SDSU Economic Crisis Response Team, the Associated Students Food Pantry and the San Diego Food Bank.The issue will continueThe ongoing government shutdown has brought increased attention to the food insecurity faced by many in San Diego. As the shutdown continues, its effects are intensifying across a wide range of populations in San Diego, making the issue hit closer to home for many. What is a problem that many are not aware of or talk about has been more visible, making many aware of how food insecurity affects groups like the military community and college students. For many in San Diego, the shutdown has highlighted food insecurity.

https://medium.com/@eboles4449/government-shutdown-exacerbates-food-insecurity-i

Synopsis:Over the semester, I learned how to create a big story project that I could really focus on because it’s something that I’m passionate about. I learned to take a passion and something I’m interested in and turn it into a story that helps others understand the issue. I also learned that I need to improve my use of multimedia elements. I enjoy photography and determining which photos should accompany my story, but I struggle to create infographics.Developing the story pitch:I wanted to cover something that was San Diego-related. I had three ideas going into it, just because I’m from San Diego, so I’m aware of things that are happening. I wanted to address these issues occurring nationally, but to do so more locally, to help people connect with the story. I adhered to journalistic and ethical guidelines by obtaining consent from all interviewees. Unfortunately, I was unable to obtain my own photos of distribution events, but I was able to get approved photos from Feeding San Diego, which was very helpful. I was also highly ethical in conducting interviews with key figures, such as Congresswoman Sarah Jacobs. I didn’t give her questions beforehand, and it was a candid conversation about the challenges that people in her region were facing. Some challenges I faced when working on this project were that interviews were difficult to obtain, especially during the government shutdown, because many of the people I spoke with were dealing with the crisis and therefore did not have much time to interview with me. Also, just because it is a touchy subject, and a lot of people don’t really like to let it be known that they are using the surfaces because of the stigma, especially from the military and military families. It was difficult to obtain permission and photographs without the required paperwork, which they were unable to find on the day I attended the distribution event. I had many opportunities while working on this project, including a Zoom meeting with Congresswoman Sarah Jacobs. However, it was still an excellent opportunity to interview someone of that prominence, and I received significant assistance from Sam Duke at Feeding San Diego, who connected me with numerous resources.Digital Media:Overall, I know how essential digital media is. I think using Solo was hard as an AI platform, just because I didn’t really like the way that it looked, but I’ve already had experience using Medium, so I really liked Medium. I have some ethical concerns regarding the AI website: taking my contact information and using shortcuts that may have been available; however, for my final project, I didn’t use AI other than the website. I really like learning that I can make my own Google maps, though that was really fun, and learning how to make things a little more interactive, other than videos and photos, was enjoyable. I wish I had created a Google Map of all the distribution sites, but since they already have one on the website, I decided that wasn’t necessary, as Feeding San Diego already offers it. I therefore embedded a link to their own map.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener follow" href="https://medium.com/@eboles4449?source=post_page---post_author_info--2ce4e2a5ad34---------------------------------------"> </a>

Final Essay

Professional SummaryEnthusiastic and self-motivated student committed to making a positive change through nonprofit and journalism work. Passionate about researching and sharing valuable information to empower others, with exceptional attention to detail, organization, and communication. Proven experience managing sensitive documentation and providing high-quality service in fast-paced settings. Eager to support media initiatives that inform, inspire, and drive social impact.EducationSan Diego State University – San Diego, CABachelor of Arts in Journalism | Minors: Interdisciplinary Studies &amp; Women and Gender StudiesExpected Graduation: May 2026 | GPA: 3.59 | Dean’s List: Fall 2022, Fall 2023, Fall 2024, Spring 2025Study Abroad – University of Stirling, United Kingdom (June 2025 – August 2025)Coursework: Podcasting and Landscape PhotographyOtay Ranch High School – Chula Vista, CA | High School Diploma, June 2022Professional ExperiencePassport Acceptance Agent | San Diego State University Passport Office | Sept 2023 – Dec 2024·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Served as a designated Passport Acceptance Agent under U.S. Department of State guidelines, ensuring accuracy and compliance with federal procedures.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Screened and verified official documents, including applications and identification materials.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Processed passport photos, handled cashiering tasks, and addressed inquiries in person, via email, and by phone.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Maintained confidentiality and data accuracy in all recordkeeping.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Delivered exceptional customer service and support to applicants with diverse needs.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Collaborated effectively in a fast-paced environment while maintaining professionalism and attention to detail.San Diego Doumenter| inewsource| contract work |Aug 2025- Dec 2025 I researched the Spring Valley Community Planning group before attending their bi-monthly meeting. I took freehand notes and copyedited them, making sure the information was accurate. I transferred my notes over to the Documentors template and provided audio of the meeting. Inewsource used my notes to give inspiration for a story that was discussed at the meetingLeadership &amp; ActivitiesDirector of Internal Affairs | IGNITE at SDSU | Feb 2023 – May 2023·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Managed internal communications by sending biweekly updates about events and meetings.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tracked member engagement and attendance.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Shared leadership, volunteer, and internship resources with members to foster growth and involvement.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Summarized and reported meeting highlights to the communications team.Volunteer ExperienceVolunteer Tutor | International Rescue Committee (IRC) | Sept 2024 – Dec 2024·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tutored high school students at Hoover High School for two hours weekly.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Assisted with homework across multiple subjects, emphasizing math.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Helped interpret and explain academic material for English learners.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Demonstrated patience, adaptability, and cultural sensitivity.Skills &amp; Strengths·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Organization &amp; Time Management·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Attention to Detail·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Problem-Solving &amp; Critical Thinking·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Clear Communication·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Customer Service &amp; Public Interaction·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Adaptability &amp; Flexibility·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Documentation &amp; Recordkeeping·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Positive Attitude &amp; Team CollaborationInterestsWriting • Journalism &amp; Public Media • Advocacy &amp; Politics • Empowering Marginalized Communities • Reading &amp; Research

Elizabeth Boles Resume

So far, for my story project, I have been able to narrow down what topic I want to cover. I will be covering the Tijuana River sewage crisis. I want to approach it from a different angle than what has been previously reported and focus on the people and businesses affected by this issue in the South Bay. Now that I have a clearer understanding of what I want my project to be about, I need to start reaching out to sources and conducting research. I do want to include research that has been recorded about the environmental impacts, but more specifically, the health impacts on the residents in the South Bay. So far, I have created and submitted my pitch to my professor. Which is included below:<h4> Story Pitch:</h4>The South Bay, specifically Imperial Beach, is facing a significant crisis with the Tijuana River Sewage crisis.&nbsp; For example, they deal with having beach closures, while other beaches up north remain open. The sewage also creates a scent that many in the area are aware of, so it deters visitors from around different parts of San Diego and causes businesses to struggle. Many residents' health is affected by the pollution, whereas in other beach towns like La Jolla, many move to beach towns because of the potential benefits from the environment, which can improve their health and overall quality of life. There are many stories that cover this issue, but most focus on the environmental impacts. I would like to cover the businesses and people that live in the South Bay, as well as how they feel about not being able to fully access their beach without risk.My potential sources include researchers who have studied these issues, business association leaders, and politicians who have expressed concerns about these issues. I would like to interview someone from the Imperial Beach Chamber of Commerce. I would interview the President, Martin Mattes, or John Crumley, the chair of economic development. Hoping they can give me insights into their businesses as well as the overall city, and connect me with other businesses closer to the beach. I would also like to interview researchers to provide some background and context for these issues. This could include Kimberly Prather, the lead investigator from UCSD in the most recent study, and Paula Stigler Granados, an environmental scientist at SDSU. I would also like to interview former Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina, who is also the cofounder and executive director of the non-profit Wild Coast. I would also try to interview the most recent former mayor, Paloma Aguirre, just to get their insights on the issue, what they have tried to put in place, and what concerns the people of Imperial Beach have brought up.&nbsp;For my multimedia elements, I would try to get a video interview at a business in Imperial Beach. I would take photos of the sewage crisis or signs that indicate it's not safe to go into the ocean at the beach. I would take photos of the beach and the businesses to compare the attendance to other beaches, such as La Jolla. I would create an infographic of the pollutant levels and research from the recent study by UCSD and SDSU researchers. I would also like to create an infographic of the financial decline and business closures over the years, and compare these closures with those of other beach towns, such as La Jolla.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Progress So Far: 10/6/2025

The government officially shut down at midnight E.T. on Oct.1 after Congress failed to pass its FY 2026 appropriations budget. It has been 15 days since the shutdown, during which many have already seen the impacts, including federal workers who may either have to work without pay or face layoffs.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMfoTMH2/">https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMfoTMH2/</a>It is highlighted in this TikTok video by the news organization CNBC. There are at least five ways that the government shutdown can become even more evident in the lives of everyday Americans, not just those who work for the government. The United States is in its second week of this shutdown with seemingly no end in sight, and the impacts are only becoming more apparent.It is a concern that President Trump is targeting particular administrations when it comes to these federal layoffs. Videos from news organizations online show comments that the president has made concerning who is being laid off during the shutdown. What does the president consider democratic-oriented? <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPsFXwxFTR_/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==">https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPsFXwxFTR_/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==</a>On Oct.10, the Department of Education laid off employees in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Office of Special Education Programs, and the Office for Civil Rights. According to a BlueSky post by an MSNBC journalist who cited a USA Today article, the “U.S Department of Education nearly fired everyone in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.” <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bsky.app/profile/crampell.bsky.social/post/3m32sdye3yk2f">https://bsky.app/profile/crampell.bsky.social/post/3m32sdye3yk2f</a>For more information on what these offices do and what this stream of mass firings means, Senator Cory Booker posted on Oct 13. “Now they are targeting those who serve and support the education of children with special needs,” along with a video from a creator that explains what these departments within the education department do and what the potential implications of these layoffs are. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bsky.app/profile/corybooker.com/post/3m333tgux3s26">https://bsky.app/profile/corybooker.com/post/3m333tgux3s26</a>Along with these layoffs during the shutdown, other federal workers in different departments have been laid off, and many feel their layoffs are unlawful. Federal workers are suing the Trump administration. As seen in a social media video on Instagram by creator/independent reporter Aaron Parnas, he reports that on Oct.15, a federal judge in California ruled these federal layoffs unlawful and “has blocked the reduction in the workforce at least right now.” Now it is still uncertain what will happen when this ruling is appealed. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DP10ivaAS45/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==">https://www.instagram.com/reel/DP10ivaAS45/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==</a> Many education and special education organizations and advocates have already responded to these federal layoffs on social media. A popular education content creator, @mrs.frazzled, posted on TikTok what these layoffs could have meant for those with special education needs.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMPJbhKV/">https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMPJbhKV/</a>Responses from the education organization were also posted on social media. The National PTA posted a response from its president and executive director discussing how they believe these layoffs would have affected and impacted public schools.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPzmcPHjcgo/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==">https://www.instagram.com/p/DPzmcPHjcgo/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==</a> Another statement was posted on the platform BlueSky by the Arizona Education Association, a labor union for Arizona public school employees. They posted an article by azcentral, which included information from the union's president, Marisol Garcia, on what these firings would mean for Arizona in particular.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bsky.app/profile/arizonaea.bsky.social/post/3m3aqnxkrks2w">https://bsky.app/profile/arizonaea.bsky.social/post/3m3aqnxkrks2w</a> Not only are educational organizations responding to these layoffs, but disability advocates are also offering resources on Instagram for those who could be impacted. The brand&nbsp; PlaySpark posted on Instagram, “a parent's guide to protecting special education rights in 2025.” <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPzGMRGkQfi/?img_index=5&amp;igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==">https://www.instagram.com/p/DPzGMRGkQfi/?img_index=5&amp;igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==</a>Special Education advocate Dr. Destiny Huff posted on Instagram back on July 22 what to do during Department of Education layoffs when those occurred; however, the information could apply to today.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMaFulhK3k0/?img_index=4&amp;igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D">https://www.instagram.com/p/DMaFulhK3k0/?img_index=4&amp;igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D</a>A TikTok by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://understood.org">understood.org</a> posted on Oct. 13 features a journalist explaining the Oct. 10 layoffs that occurred, what the program OSEP is, and what the layoffs could have meant for IEPs in public schools when those who are supposed to enforce the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act could not do so. According to the video, without government oversight after Oct. 10, there were already reports of bounced emails and no one checking on whether states and schools are fulfilling their responsibilities to support special education. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMP1swCr/">https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMP1swCr/</a>&nbsp;The government shutdown is still ongoing. The federal mass firings are blocked for now, but it is still uncertain whether the administration will appeal and resume the layoffs. There is a lot of conversation online about the mass layoffs of federal employees. These playoffs affect, of course, those who are being fired, but there could be implications for those who rely on these services as well. The overall oversight will go to the states, and without the federal government checking the states and schools, there could be individual implications in certain areas. However, on social media, people and advocates are posting resources to those who are concerned, reiterating that this does not change the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.&nbsp;Empty Classroom Photo by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" class="ah mn" href="https://unsplash.com/@pistos?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Jeffrey Hamilton</a> on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" class="ah mn" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/vacant-white-painted-classroom-with-chairs-tables-and-map-on-the-wall-jrRe6er0pY0?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>

 Social Storytelling: Federal layoffs affect Special Education

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I decided to pivot from my original topic to focus on food insecurity in San Diego because I became interested in it during the government shutdown, which was affecting many communities in San Diego. I did another assignment focusing on military family food insecurity before the government shutdown began, and as I worked on that project, worries intensified. As a Navy brat, I found this topic very important and meaningful for me to highlight. I wanted to expand on this issue with this story project and also focus on other communities in San Diego, such as college students.&nbsp;&nbsp; I had sources from Feeding San Diego that I used for both topics about how their distribution events were impacted. I also already had a Zoom interview scheduled with Congresswoman Sara Jacobs that I did not get to do before my other assignments' deadline, so I wanted to use this opportunity to do this assignment to report on her insights on the topic. I decided to highlight college students who are impacted by the government shutdown because they use Cal Fresh benefits, as well as SDSU’s Rock the Hunger event, which was beginning, so I thought this was a really relevant topic to explore.&nbsp;

Blog post 3: What I took from this story project 

While working on this story project, I learned a lot. First, we started by creating three story pitches, something I hadn't attempted before. I wanted to focus on the San Diego community because it is important to me. I didn't end up going with any of my initial story pitches, but I learned that it is essential to write something you are passionate about, and as long as the pitch is ‘evergreen,’ you can always save it for another time. I think it was important for me to work on the story about food insecurity because it was a topic I wanted to explore further, but didn't get the chance to in my other course.&nbsp; During this course, I focused on developing the overall story while adding elements to enhance it, including audio from one of my most prominent interviews with Congresswoman Sara Jacobs. I also learned how to create an infographic, which I struggled with, as I am trying to become more skilled with multimedia elements.&nbsp; Struggles that I face while working on this story was that during the government shutdown it was hard to schedule interviews with some of the military focused organizations as they were busy dealing witht he crisis and their was still uncertainty around whether my sceduldedd interview with COngresswoman Jacobs would happen amid the government shutdown luckily I was able to still interview her on Nov. 6. I also struggled with getting permission to take photos during a distribution event because of the non-profits Courage to Call privacy concerns. They were unable to find the required media release forms. However, they did let me interview some clients using only identifiers. Feeding San Diego kindly allowed me to use some of their photos of recent events they focused on that had already been released, so the photos are courtesy of them. I learned that maintaining relationships with your sources is vital because Sam Duke, the project manager at Feeding San Diego, was extremely helpful in both stories, providing information, spreadsheets, and contacts who could expand on separate topics. I also learned that I should reach out to sources that seem out of reach because the worst that will happen is that they say no or simply don't reply. Reaching out to Congresswoman Jacobs was intimidating, but when I was able to get an interview with her, I felt more motivated to continue this work because of the unexpected support for this project.&nbsp;